kashc2

Hi all,

I haven't been on this website for a long time but figured it would be a good place to ask this question. I have received an offer from a one of the largest banks in the United States for a summer intern position (analyst). I also have received an offer from a very world re-known food company. This position is a supply chain analyst position and doesn't pay quite as well as the bank position.

So here's the basic run down compensation and location wise.

Compensation: bank>food
Location (closer to home): food>bank

Which one would I benefit more from? The only problem I have is of job security in working for a bank, considering I get a full-time offer after the internship, which both companies said happens a lot.

Feel free to ask any more questions or if I didn't make anything clear! I'm personally leaning towards the bank more.

chrisw

Really, in this situation, I wouldn't worry about job security... you make your own job security, so as long as you are prepared to work smart (not necessarily hard!), that shouldn't be an issue. What I would consider is what you care about. You're in a terrific situation since it's rather uncommon to receive an internship offer during the fall recruitment season, so that's just another plus.

Things to consider, if I were you...
- Do I care that one is closer than another? Is it exciting to live far away, or do I get homesick? This assumes that one is hundreds of miles away while the other would allow you to live at home.
- What are the hours like, and does that matter? I would imagine that the bank would require at least sixty hours a week, whereas the supply chain job would be closer to a standard 40-45 hour week.
- What do I want to do? Flip a coin... you'll know which side you want it to land on while it's in the air, and that tells you what you want.

A question I have for you is, when do you need to give these places a response? If they would allow it, I would absolutely go through spring recruitment. You could (potentially) find an even better fit and leverage existing offers to get more out of other companies. Of course, if you need to respond before February, then don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

kashc2

Well both would prefer a response within 3-4 weeks so there is no way I could go through spring recruitment. As far as hours go the bank mentions it will be around 40 but I hardly doubt that and same with the supply chain. I think I will go for the bank, you are correct about you make your job security, but I think the bank will give me the greater experience. It definitely interests me more than the supply chain position and location isn't a big issue for me as well. I'm just worried about how much the change in economy has an effect on banks and the whole lay-offs business :/.

chrisw

Regarding lay-offs, banks generally don't cut their interns since they recognize that interns are the future of the bank; in 2009, a lot of banks DID cut their interns, but that was a measure taken to maintain solvency rather than just a cost-cutting device. So I wouldn't worry about getting laid off as an intern - banks know that if they start doing that, the best people will stop coming to work for them, and that just spells disaster.

Looks like you've made up your mind... congratulations!